Sunscreen link to Alzheimer's probed

Irish scientists are investigating a possible link between the use of sunscreen and developing Alzheimer's disease.

Researchers at the University of Ulster Biomedical Sciences Institute in Coleraine are researching whether  human-engineered tiny particies in sunscreen can damage the brain and induce neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's.

The tiny particles being studied, nanoparticles, measure between one and 100 nanometres - a nanometre is one millionth of a millimetre.

The researchers will be specifically looking at nanoparticles present in chemicals found in sunscreens and an additive in some diesel fuels, and their connection to Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Diseases. The project is part of a worldwide research programme caleld NeuroNano.

The scientists say there is now firm evidence that some engineered nanoparticles entering intravenously or via the lungs can reach the brains of small animals.

There are also suggestions that nanoscale particles arising from urban pollution have reached the brains of animals and children living in Mexico City.

They point out that the brain is particualrly vulnerable to long term low-dose toxicity, such as that from nanoparticles, which can circumvent protective mechanisms in the brain.

The Coleraine researchers point out that neurodegenerative diseases currently affect over 1.6% of the European population and the risk that engineered naniparticles could introduce unforseen hazards to human health is now a matter of growing concern.

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[Posted: Mon 24/08/2009]